Met Police give ‘final warning’ to two officers who shared sick Sarah Everard kidnapping meme

Met Police have issued a final warning to two officers who shared a sick meme about the kidnapping of Sarah Everard the same month the tragic 33-year-old was discovered – but one will remain on the force.

Fellow officers denounced their posts in March 2021 – the same month she was killed.

One was punished for posting the meme and the other for not challenging or reporting it.

He was challenged by “disgusted” colleagues and reported immediately, according to the force.

One of the two – from the Central East command unit – has since resigned.

Wayne Couzens (left, in his uniform with his police belt circled and right, in a court sketch) kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard in a depraved crime after finishing her shift

Miss Everard’s disappearance sparked a massive manhunt and sparked outrage over the safety of women on the streets

The second, from the North Central Command Unit, was also found to have breached professional behavior standards for challenging and reporting inappropriate behavior, conduct and authority, respect and courtesy after sharing the graphic and not having contested it, but remains in service in the force.

A third constable, who was based at the North Central Command Unit, was given a ‘reflection practice’ after passing on the image to ask for advice on how to handle the situation.

Police watchdog the IOPC Fund said: ‘Further investigations into matters relating to Couzens led the IOPC Fund to finalize a report in August 2021 which found one case to be answered at fault for three Met officers after an offensive meme related to the kidnapping of Sarah Everard was circulated via WhatsApp.

‘The allegations were proven in a forcible misconduct meeting in April 2022 when two police officers received final written warnings, one for posting the meme and the other for not posting it. having disputed or reported.

‘Misconduct was also found for a third constable who was dealt with under the reflective practice review process on the grounds that although disagreement was expressed with the meme, it was forwarded to seek an opinion additional rather than the reporting officer.

Couzens’ own twisted WhatsApp conversations with colleagues came to light in March – in which he joked about rape and made offensive comments about women, race, violence, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and disability.

The firearms officer, 50, used Covid laws to arrest, handcuff and stage the fake arrest of Sarah Everard before strangling her “with his police belt” on March 3, 2021.

Police released this photo of murderous police officer Couzens after acknowledging the horrific crime earlier this year

Jonathon Cobban, 35, left, and former PC Joel Borders, 46, right, were each jailed for 12 weeks at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in November 2022.

Fellow PC officers Jonathon Cobban and PC Joel Borders were jailed for three months for their messages in a WhatsApp group with Couzens in November.

Assistant Deputy Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: ‘The graphic was insensitive, inappropriate and deeply hurtful.

“The reckless and mean actions of the two officers who shared the graphic are incredibly disappointing and they have let everyone down with their behavior.

“Fortunately, colleagues who received the image were disgusted and promptly reported their concerns to the Met’s Professional Standards Branch, who immediately referred the IOPC Fund. The IOPC investigation found that the two officers are expected to face a misconduct meeting.

“In April 2022, they were found to have breached standards of professional behavior and received a final written warning, the most serious sanction available to the panel at a misconduct meeting.”